Health and inequality. Some applications of uncertainty theory.

Abstract

This paper applies to the Field of Health results of Stochastic Dominance Theory and expressions originally devised for the measurement of Income Inequality. In particular, use is made of Atkinson's inequality measure to compare health levels in England and Wales in the past century. It appears that the 'inequality before death' is less important today than it was in the past, this improvement being parallel to the increase in the average number of years lived (life expectancy). The analysis indicates also that both improvements were greater for women than for men during the period considered.